Versatile Moore from LSU drafted in Round 6

Tyler Moore grew up in Baton Rouge, La., and he didn't have to go far for college when he started playing ball at Louisiana State University. It's safe to say his next adventure, though, will take him a little farther from home.

The Mets made Moore their sixth-round selection (175th overall) in the 2014 First-Year Player Draft on Friday afternoon, and shortly after the announcement, LSU coach Paul Mainieri encouraged his catcher/first baseman to do away with his last year of eligibility to sign with New York.

"Our loss is their gain," Mainieri said. "The Mets are getting a wonderful young man. .... He's ready. He's ready to be successful."

The Draft concludes on Saturday with exclusive coverage of Rounds 11-40 beginning on MLB.com at 1 p.m. ET.

The Mets announced Moore as a catcher, but he played behind the plate and at first base for the Tigers this season. The 21-year-old served as the personal catcher for LSU's ace, right-hander Aaron Nola, who went seventh overall to the Phillies on Thursday.

"You kind of stick your chest out with a lot of pride and you hope you have a little bit to do with their development," Mainieri said.

At the plate, Mainieri said, the 6-foot-1, 195-pound Moore possesses a mix of solid hand-eye coordination and power. He batted .301 with a .381 on-base percentage and a .484 slugging mark, collecting 10 doubles and six homers to go with his 37 RBIs. Moore also showed good patience, walking nearly as often as he struck out (18 to 21).

"As he continues to play, he's just going to continue to get better and better and better," Mainieri said. "I wouldn't be surprised to see the power develop further. He's a strong kid, he's got bat speed. When he gets his pitch, he knows what to do with it."